World news story

Baroness Anelay discusses the Reform Agenda in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Baroness Anelay welcomes constructive engagement of two entities and urges to translate this into implementation of the Agenda for Reform

Baroness Anelay with Zeljka Cvijanovic, Prime Minister of the Republika Srpska, and Fadil Novalic, Prime Minister of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Banja Luka

Baroness Anelay with Zeljka Cvijanovic, Prime Minister of the Republika Srpska, and Fadil Novalic, Prime Minister of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Banja Luka

Baroness Joyce Anelay, UK Minister of State and Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, met Zeljka Cvijanovic, Prime Minister of the Republika Srpska, and Fadil Novalic, Prime Minister of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in Banja Luka on 2 September where they discussed the implementation of recently agreed Agenda for Reform.

Baroness Anelay welcomed the adoption of the Agenda for Reform by Bosnia and Herzegovina governments as an important step forward which will help to stabilise the economy and create new opportunities. She also welcomed the positive and constructive engagement of two entity Prime Ministers and urged them to move quickly to implementation.

Baroness Anelay said:

I am pleased to witness this positive and constructive engagement of the two entities in addressing and solving issues and disputes and would like to see the implementation of the agreed Agenda for Reform without delay.

Some important laws have already been adopted, but more work lies ahead and there is no time to lose. We expect all parties to work in line with the agreed Written Commitment towards a better and more prosperous future of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

As the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, Baroness Anelay met survivors and NGOs providing them with a range of support and representatives of the state judicial institutions to discuss the progress achieved in Bosnia and Herzegovina. She also encouraged the Prime Ministers to do more to support wartime sexual violence survivors in accessing justice and receiving compensation which will help them to continue their lives.

Published 3 September 2015